New facilities block officially opened at Garth School

Staff and students at a Spalding special school have celebrated the official opening of a new facilities block.

The Garth School, which caters for pupils with complex and profound learning difficulties, has been remodelled to create five new classrooms with external play space.

Headteacher Claire Moore said the new extension will ‘transform’ the learning environment at the school.

An appeal for help in providing blinds for the new area was run with the Spalding Voice and local company BT Blinds was able to help.

“This literally will transform the learning opportunities and environments in which our pupils have to explore, investigate and take ownership for more of their attainment in all areas of their development.

“We will now have access to bespoke teaching areas for our more formal learners, space within classrooms and outdoor learning areas for all pupils to initiate their own learning and we are very excited to be reconfiguring two of the existing classrooms into a physiotherapy room and a multi-sensory room.”

Friends of the school have raised more than £28,000 to provide equipment for the multi-sensory room which, said Mrs Moore, would be a fantastic addition to the school.

“It is disappointing that due to COVID restrictions we are unable to gather with all stakeholders to celebrate such a wonderful addition to our school, but I have no doubt we will be able to hold a summer party in 2021,” she said.

The scheme is the second completed with the county’s special schools project which will see more than £50m spent on improvements at 13 sites delivered over a five year period.

“I am delighted to see the new wing completed at the Garth School. It’s a testament to the hard work of all involved that the project has continued to move forward despite the disruption caused by the pandemic,” said Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for Children’s Services at the county council.

“These improvements will mean more pupils with special educational needs can attend a local school rather than having to travel large distances for their education.”